How To Replace Window Air Conditioner Side Panels
At that place are a few reasons why installing a window air conditioner without side panels may be necessary.
Perhaps you bought a used unit of measurement, simply it didn't come up with them. Maybe y'all bought a new window air conditioner, but you weren't as careful every bit yous should take been and didn't check the specs first. Now information technology won't fit in your window with the panels attached.
Maybe you just hate the await of them.
Start, yep. You can install a window air conditioner without side panels. You can use a variety of mediums in place of the plastic accordions, such equally plywood, plexiglass, even rigid foam board. The purpose of the panels is to make the room closed. Use whatever will safely accomplish that.
Read on, and I'll embrace those options in more than particular beneath.
Options for Installing a Window Air Conditioner Without Side Panels
Before I get into the options, allow me preface this by saying that some of these alternatives may be better than those squeeze box extensions that come with your window air conditioner.
Depending on how well you seal and install them, they aren't that energy efficient. Not only tin can they let hot air in and your expensive cold air out, but there'south also a good risk they're letting in all sorts of creatures you lot don't want in your home.
So don't feel similar the alternatives are a bad affair.
First up, for those who aren't handy with tools.
Option 1. Purchase Insulating Side Panels
I'm including this because there may be some who simply have windows that are too large to make utilize of the side panels that came with their unit of measurement, and they are looking for alternatives.
Most big box hardware stores will sell insulating side panels that are much larger than the originals. Some will extend up to 9 inches wide and 18 inches tall.
These panels tin be used along with or in place of your existing side panels. Y'all tin besides cut them to size.
Choice 2. Use Foam Board Insulation
What you'll need:
- Foam board: Expanded polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam, or polyisocyanurate. (More than on these options below)
- Measuring tape
- Drywall saw
- Scissors
- Duct tape
- Pigment (optional)
First, choose what kind of foam you desire. Is toll or free energy efficiency more important to you?
- Expanded polystyrene foam is the least expensive only it's also the least energy efficient. Information technology has an R-value of merely 3.6 to 4.0 per inch.
- Extruded polystyrene foam is the most common board with a medium density. It costs more than the above only it'southward more than free energy efficient. It's easy to employ and has an R-value of 4.5 to 5.0 per inch.
- Polyisocyanurate is the most expensive and the most efficient. It's too moisture resistant and comes with a foil dorsum, making it easy to tape in identify. It has an R-value of 7.0 to 8.0 per inch.
Step 1. Mensurate and Cut
Grab your tape measure out and determine the size and shape yous demand to cutting. If in dubiousness, cut a bit bigger, since shaving a bit off isn't that difficult.
Step 2. Paint (Optional)
Foam board isn't pretty, and you may not care. If you practise, yous can pigment information technology to any colour yous want. You tin even pigment it dissimilar colors on each side to match you interior and outside.
Pace 3. Place Around Air Conditioner
Carefully fit your board effectually your air conditioner. Don't employ too much force, as it could suspension. Make whatever adjustments you lot need so that information technology fits snuggly in identify.
Step four. Secure and Seal information technology
Cutting enough duct tape to run along all the seams of the board, creating an airtight seal.
A note about duct tape. Information technology will eventually dry out out and crumble. This isn't much of an consequence if you install your unit seasonally, only if you leave it in all year, be certain to inspect the record occasionally.
In terms on being an energy efficient selection, foam lath is your best bet. However, it'southward certainly non the most esthetically pleasing.
For something the looks as close to what a window should wait like, I would recommend going with Plexiglass.
Pick three. Use Plexiglass
Using plexiglass over whatever of the other alternatives means you won't lose any natural light.
The installation procedure is much the aforementioned equally the above, y'all'll just demand some unlike tools.
What yous'll need:
- Sheet of plexiglass
- Measuring tape
- Glass cutter or box cutter
- Screws
- Spiral commuter
- Weather stripping
- Caulk
Step 1. Measure out and Cutting
Measure out the size and shape of the plexiglass you'll need. You can utilize either a glass cutter or box cutter to score out the pattern on both sides of the plexiglass, only be certain to practise this before removing the protective cover.
Once you lot take scored both sides, you can simply snap the plexiglass.
Step 2. Place Around Air Conditioner
At present that your pieces are cut, fit them in place effectually the air conditioner.
Step iii. Secure information technology
Remove the protective coating from the plexiglass and put information technology in place. And so use the screws to screw it securely to the window sash and bottom rail.
Pace iv. Seal information technology
Depending on the gaps, you can either use weather stripping and caulk or just some caulk. Merely make sure all gaps and crevices are sealed.
Pick 4. Use Plywood
Plywood is a common pick, but like foam board, not too bonny. Actually, information technology'southward tacky and ugly, simply it volition work. And y'all can stain it or paint information technology to make it look a bit better.
What you'll need:
- A sail of plywood
- Record measure
- Circular/Tabular array/Hand saw
- Paint or stain (optional)
- Confront mask
- Eye protection
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Weather stripping
- Caulk
Over again, the steps mirror those to a higher place with just a few differences due to the material.
Footstep 1. Measure and cut
Measure out how much plywood yous apply. It'south a expert idea to mark a pattern on your wood. Depending on what type of saw yous have, the side by side office may be like shooting fish in a barrel. Only it volition create a low of saw dust, so practise this job in an appropriate spot and be sure to wearable protection.
Pace two. Identify Around Air Conditioner
Have your plywood and fit it in place around your window air conditioner. Scout out for splinters—or be smart and vesture gloves.
Step 3. Secure it
Utilize your screws to secure the plywood but does this from the outside of the house so they're not every bit visible. If you don't have piece of cake outside access, doing this step on the inside is fine.
Pace four. Seal it
If necessary, place weather stripping around the perimeter. If non, caulk should be sufficient.
Decision
As you lot tin can see, there are a variety of ways to install a window air conditioner without side panels. Withal, all the presented options aren't equal.
- If you lot're more interested in aesthetics, get with the plexiglass
- If you lot're more interested in energy efficiency, become with one of the better foam board options.
And remember, if you do choose lath or plywood, you tin can pigment or stain it to make information technology look a piffling better.
Thanks for reading! Hopefully you lot're leaving with an reply that works for you. While yous're here, why not cheque out some of our related posts below?
Source: https://applianceanalysts.com/install-window-ac-no-side-panels/
Posted by: deessacul1946.blogspot.com
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